As Cindy Soriano shopped for mattresses at El Centro’s Imperial Home Galleries’ going-out-of-business sale on Monday, she had bittersweet feelings about the great deals. “I can’t believe we saved over $2,000,” she said. Soriano spent $500 on mattresses and box springs for what were originally worth $2,595. Soriano, of El Centro, said she realizes the root of the bargains. “It’s kind of like a win-and-lose situation because we’re getting such good-quality products for such a low price, and it’s a loss because people are losing their jobs,” she said.

HELP: I am requesting help in contacting the manager or owner of an El Centro furniture store. I purchased a dining room set from the store but when it was delivered, I was unhappy with it. Although I had carefully measured before I made my decision, the table and chairs overpower the room and make it seem cramped. I immediately called the salesperson and told her my problem. She told me since it was a special order she couldn?t do anything for me. (Although it was ordered from the manufacturer specifically for me, there is nothing custom about the set. It is a regular stock item for that manufacturer.

Everyone knows that buying furniture these days can be an expensive and exhausting ordeal. It takes a lot of time and energy to shop around for the best deal, and to find what best fits your needs now and in the future. That?s why we understand how the county can spend more than $500,000 on furniture. The county is a big governmental operation, and it takes money to outfit it. People need to have chairs and desks (although couches and wet bars should still be off limits, we believe)

Dan DuBose General Contractor/DuBose Cabinets 830 K Street, Brawley 760-344-9328 dubosedan@att.net Tell us how you ended up in this line of work. Spent three years in the United States Navy aboard an aircraft carrier working in damage control and the carpenter shop. Describe what your business does. I design, build and install cabinets and furniture. I repair and refinish existing wood cabinets and furniture, all with the help of my grandson Mason Rodriguez.

Imperial County Supervisor Joe Maruca didn?t hold back in expressing his disdain in the county?s spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on office furniture Tuesday. ?I think there?s got to be a better, more economic way to do this,? Maruca said. ?This is highway robbery.? During Tuesday?s Imperial County Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisors approved the purchases of more than $500,000 for office furniture for three departments. ?With the amount of money we spend on furniture, we?

The Newcomers and Friends Club will have a fundraising yard sale from 7 to noon today at 2691 W. Hamilton Ave. Proceeds from the nonprofit organization?s yard sale will go to The Salvation Army. Items sold will include clothing, furniture, household items, and more. ? RICHARD BROWN rbrown@ivpressonline.com

Grima's Used Furntiure 771 Broadway, El Centro 760-336-2000 Tell us how you ended up in this line of work. I love business, people and décor. Describe what your business does. Sell used items, furniture, pottery, décor and miscellaneous items. What are memories from your career that stick out the most with you? I was a lawnmower shop owner and an Imperial Valley College professor. What do you most like and least like about your work?

BRAWLEY - The National Response Team of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with ATF special agents from the Los Angeles field division have entered the investigation into the recent fire at the A Plus Furniture Store, located at 542 Main St., Brawley. The building, which housed a retail furniture store, was destroyed. Initial estimates established a dollar loss of $1 million due to the fire. At least two other adjacent businesses also sustained damage.

BRAWLEY - After flames destroyed the beloved downtown building, Superior Furniture owner Mary Miller has reopened the more than 63-year-old business within Lewman's Floral store here. “We still have furniture in our warehouse and we're selling furniture by catalog,” Miller said. Not letting the Sept. 14 fire discourage business, Miller teamed up with longtime downtown merchant and friend, Ron Lewis, owner of Lewman's Floral, to carry on business from his store. “He was just great.

UPDATE 8:15 a.m. - Power has been shut down for businesses near the Brawley Superior Furniture store after the more than 60-year-old business was destroyed by fire this morning. Do you have photos of the fire? Share them here! View Brawley furniture store fire in a larger map The fire was called in about 5 a.m., confirmed Brawley City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore. Fire departments throughout the Imperial Valley were called out to assist the Brawley Fire Department.

Dan DuBose General Contractor/DuBose Cabinets 830 K Street, Brawley 760-344-9328 dubosedan@att.net Tell us how you ended up in this line of work. Spent three years in the United States Navy aboard an aircraft carrier working in damage control and the carpenter shop. Describe what your business does. I design, build and install cabinets and furniture. I repair and refinish existing wood cabinets and furniture, all with the help of my grandson Mason Rodriguez.

BRAWLEY - Myron D. Witter Elementary School students will be using better furniture now after a crew of six Centinela State Prison inmates built tables and bookshelves for the school library. The refurbished items that also included a newly built desk for school librarian Maria Paramo were unveiled during a grand opening Wednesday at the elementary school. Home Depot donated the materials for the project that took about five to six months to complete, said Centinela State Prison Administrative Lt. Jesse Jackson.

For many of us who are reading this article, we will be gathering with our family and friends, sharing meals, gifts and laughter during this Holy Season. During these last two weeks, the Sister Evelyn Mourey Center, whose vision is to serve the community of the Imperial Valley, has seen several families that come to our center experiencing poverty or unjust situations. These families will not be sharing meals, gifts or laughter during Christmas unless someone can help and hear their cry. One is a couple who were able to rent a small mobile home without a stitch of furniture.